A dozen stores circle a rough plaza near Lignum port. By crossing the threshold of each storefront, the discerning shopper may purchase most anything; food, household goods, weapons, ship provisions, raiment, magical trinkets and not so trinkets, all available for a price. Between these permanent shops, small [Merchants], [Tradesmen], and [Quartermasters] hawk their wares from an ever changing milieu of shanties and stalls.
Cillian strolls through the dirt plaza, enjoying the sights, sounds, and freedom of a wider world. He relishes the sense of his old merchant instincts kicking in as he browses the wares. The old arms dealer stops at a stall to examine a leather jacket that catches his eye.
As he stares at the coat, priced at thirty trist. His skill activates and a floating box hovers over it.
Name
Leather Coat
Rarity
Common
Description
This is a leather coat. You do not have sufficient knowledge to deduce what animal this leather comes from.
Cillian walks up to the coat and lays his hand on it. He rubs the coarse leather and feels a soft layer beneath the full grain hide. He opens the jacket and there is the fur, still attached to the hide.
This is made for very cold weather, he thinks.
At his thought, the box changes slightly to match his observation.
Name
Winter Leather Coat
Rarity
Common
Description
This is a winter leather coat. You do not have sufficient knowledge to deduce what animal this hide comes from.
“Excuse me, sir,” he calls respectfully to the trader, “This is a winter coat, but I don't recognize the animal that this leather is made from.”
The trader raises an eyebrow at Cillian, annoyed by the question until he notices the rather plump pouch on Cillians waist. His demeanor quickly brightens at the prospect of a wealthy customer. He rushes over with a smile.
“Ahh, that's a rather special piece crafted by the highest leveled [Craftsmen] in Traipus, painstakingly sewn from the hides of Nivis’s Blizzard Bears.” He strokes the leather of the coat. “This coat is made completely from the island's apex predator; its fur lines the insides for warmth and the skin is a tough barrier against wind, wildlife, and common blades. ”
As the [Merchant] extolls the coat, the box's description updates itself.
Name
Blizzard Bear Fur Coat
Rarity
Common
Description
This is a Blizzard Bear Fur Coat crafted on the island of Nivis in the city of Traipus.
Cillian nods. “Interesting. Though I do wonder whether this coat would be useful in moderate climates.”
The trader's smile drops slightly. “Yes, I admit that Arbor’s weather doesn't ever get that cold, but that's not true for the open seas. Rapid shifts in temperature do happen, and I imagine having a coat like this will come in handy. Of course, you also shouldn't forget about the protective nature of the leather. Blizzard Bears are notorious for their resistance to piercing. It is this nature alone which makes this coat an uncommon item.”
Name
Blizzard Bear Leather Coat
Rarity
Uncommon
Description
This is a Blizzard Bear Leather Coat crafted on the island of Nivis in the city of Traipus. This coat's leather is resistant to piercing.
Cillian rubs his chin thoughtfully with a frown. He shakes his head. “Even so, the fur makes it unusable in warm climates. Anyone wearing, let alone fighting in this would get heat stroke.” Cillian lifts the coat and grimaces at the weight. “It also weighs a decent bit too.” The Scot steps back. “I do like the look of it, though. I might be able to gift it to a friend.” He taps his pouch. “I’ll buy it for ten Trist.”
“Ten!” the trader yells in outrage. “This coat would go for a solid hecto-trist in Traipus. I’m already giving a hefty discount for thirty trist.”
A seventy percent discount already? As I figured, he’s desperate to sell it, but I need to give a slightly better offer.
Cillian frowns at the coat for long moments, and then sighs. “I can justify fifteen trist, but no more. This coat may be worth more in a colder climate, but not here.”
“Twenty five.” he counters.
Amateur. You lowered your price too quickly. You’re desperate to get rid of it. It’s probably been in your possession for far too long.
Cillian shakes his head. “It's not worth that much here and we both know it. Fifteen is my final offer.”
The trader looks like he's grinding his teeth. “Twenty trist.”
Cillian shakes his head and turns away.
He takes three steps before…
“Fine. Fifteen Trist.”
Cillian smiles.
_________________________________________________________________
“You’re in good spirits. Have you figured out how your skill works?” Irmgard asks.
“Somewhat, yes. The skill seems to function by using my own knowledge to ascertain name, rarity, and description.”
“That seems useless if you already have to have knowledge of the item beforehand.”
“Maybe, but it’s too soon to tell. If the skill description never lies, then I can never be lied to, which is incredibly useful on its own. Regardless, I need to test it some more. But first…”
Cillian and Irmgard stop in front of a store named Caelids Tannery. Cillian opens the door and enters. His and Irmgards face scrunch up at the chemical smell. They walk up to the desk. Cillian taps a bell on the desk.
From the back, a young woman rushes to the front. “Yes, hello. May I help you?”
Cillian gives an easygoing smile to the woman. “You can, actually. Are you by chance Caelid?”
The woman shakes her head. “No, Caelid is my grandmother, but I am a [Tanner] too. Is there something you need?”
Cillian lifts his newly bought coat and places it on the desk. “Yes. This coat of mine is a tad too warm. I need the fur removed and lined with a far more breathable padding.”
The woman takes the coat and feels everywhere around it. She frowns as her hand roams the leather.
“Huh. I don't recognize this. Can you wait a moment?”
“Of course.”
The girl grabs the coat and rushes to the back room. After several minutes, she returns with an aged woman.
The daughter places the coat back on the desk.
“I’ve not worked on blizzard bear leather in a long while.” The old lady comments. “Notoriously difficult material to work with.” She brushes the inside fur lining. “My granddaughter said you wish to remove the fur and replace it with something more breathable. I can do it, but my price isn’t going to be cheap. Twenty trist.”
Cillian opens his mouth to haggle, but the older lady raises up her hand with a smile. “But, If you allow my granddaughter to work on it, then it will only be five trist.”
The granddaughter frowns. “Grandma, that's too cheap. We’d make barely any profit”
“Hush, now. Working on something as uncommon and difficult as blizzard bear leather should raise your level.” She looks back at Cillian. “Well young man, have we got a deal?”
“Are you confident your granddaughter will do a good job?”
“If she works slowly and carefully, then yes.”
Cillian nods. “That’s fine by me. I’ll pay when the modification is finished. When should I return?”
“In three days. One day to work on it, and two for it to dry.”
Cillian thanks the daughter and grandmother before exiting the building and going to there next destination.
“You looked like you really wanted to haggle there,” Irmgard comments.
“I did, but that old lady beat me to it. She put such a low price that haggling would be detrimental to the deal. Regardless, we learned that the prospect of leveling can greatly reduce the cost.”
“We also learned that you can level your class by using it, and level it even faster if you are doing something more difficult.”
“Do you believe you will level from buying and selling?” Irmgard asks.
“No, I’ll level from haggling and making profits. Anyone can buy and sell, but it takes skill to turn a big profit.”
“Do you plan to sell the coat for a profit?”
Cillian shrugs. “If Quasi returns successful, I’ll probably gift it to Boriss. If he doesn't return, then I’m going to sell it for a profit. I’ll need the coin if I’m to survive long enough to be successful. What about you? Any plans.”
The former warden grimaces. She’d fallen from a powerful leader of an underground prison to a no-name woman in a land she does not know. All she has to offer is her combat, leadership, and organizational training. Useful tools, but only to those who know her competence.
“I will need to join a ship's crew or a mercenary company and obtain promotions. Eventually, I will place myself in a position where my leadership is superior to the captain, and then replace him outright.”
“Fuck,” Cillian curses. “You’re talking about mutiny. You’re really aiming for the top, aren't you?”
She shrugs. “Those who are capable will rise, and those who are not will kneel at my feet.”
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The scot shakes his head and instead focuses on his next destination.
“We’re here.”
The duo arrive at the largest store in town, a store directly next to the only smithy in town.
“Zeverens Weapon Emporium,” Cillian reads the sign.
“You wish to buy weapons?” Irmgard asks.
Cillian smiles as his eyes roam the weapon filled glass displays. “When I was younger, I used to be a weapon-nut on account of my father being both a smith and a collector of medieval weapons. I learned a lot from him, but my interest gradually upgraded to modern arms. I got a job at a weapons company, then became a weapons dealer.” Cillians smile turns to a frown. “That was twenty years ago.”
“You want to use your experience to find a good deal?” she asks.
He nods. “Yes. I was never as good at working the forge as my father, but I learned enough to tell quality from trash.”
The two enter the rather packed establishment. Thankfully, most of the bodies were at the end of the store-where the more expensive products are placed.
Swerving to the left, Cillian uses his skill at the weapons on display, looking for something that stands out. He eventually finds it- a simple looking straight-sword next to two others somewhat similar in appearance.
Name
Shortsword
Rarity
Common
Description
This weapon was created by a [Smith] of average skill.
He grabs the weapon and tests it by centering it on his finger. He does the same with the others near it.
“This one is superior.” He points.
Then, he activates his skill on the three again.
Name
Shortsword
Rarity
Common
Description
This blade was created by a [Smith] of low skill.
Name
Shortsword
Rarity
Common
Description
This blade was created by a [Smith] of low skill.
Name
Shortsword
Rarity
Common
Description
This weapon was created by a [Smith] of average skill who understands the importance of proper weight distribution.
“It works.”
“What does?”
“My skill. Without testing the items, I can already tell if a weapon is superior to another or not. I think it works in regards to my understanding of quality. So long as I know how to test the quality of an item, then the skill will omit the testing phase.”
A giddy grin rises on Cillians face. “This is amazing. I wonder if it works on larger objects? Maybe even ships?”
“Did it work on the coat?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I know nothing about working with leather. Ballistic armor? Sure. But not leather. I can't tell the difference between good and bad leather.”
“Then You need to learn. Come, let us look at supplies.”
Cillian raises an eyebrow. “Supplies?”
She nods. “If we are to eventually obtain a ship, then we must prepare for travel. Food, water, medicine, clothing, and materials for repairs are going to be needed. We will spend the next week getting acquainted with the prices.”
“But.” Cillian whines when he glances at the rows of weapons he could practice his skill on. When he looks back at her, a chill crawls down his spine when he is met with the warden's uncaring gaze.
“Folgen,” she orders. She turns around and walks out of the building.
Cillian follows only a second after.
___________________________________________________________
Traversing out of the former swamp is both easier and slower. Swimming, though slow, was a far more reliable movement speed in comparison to the now muddy terrain. It took me arguably twice as long to leave the former swamp. Eventually, I retrace my steps and climb one of the taller trees, wherein I note a fire.
I rush to the campfire and slow at the smell of sizzling meat. Hopping out of a bush, I quickly roll to the side, narrowly dodging a wooden spear.
“Boriss!” I yell.
The Russian pauses with another spear in hand and an entire cooked animal leg in his mouth. He lowers the spear and removes the cooked appendage.
“Comrade Quasi, you dodge well. Is nice see you.” he frowns. “You are muddy.”
“Of course I’m muddy. The swamp is drained.”
Boriss nods happily. “Then corruption is suka, yes? We now go back to town and get ship?”
I look at Boriss and then the campfire, and finally the animals removed skin.
“Not yet. I’m going to eat, drink, shit, and sleep first. When I wake up, we’re going to hunt a bunch of animals, kill them, and then make a big bag. We’ve got a treasure-trove of items to collect before we return.”
_____________________________________________________________________
The moment I close my eyes, I am back in the white room in my human form.
“Huh. Did I level?”
“Aaahhhhhhh.”
I hear a scream behind me. I turn, and watch as Yazula exits a small portal and smacks face first into the floor.
She quickly rolls over and aggressively waves her fist at the closing portal.
“Yazula will not take this mistreatment lying down!”
“You kinda are.” I answer the goddess who is, at this moment, lying down.
She pouts at me, and then looks confused.
“Why are you here?” she asks.
I raise an eyebrow. “I think I leveled.”
She frowns at me. Her eyes glaze over. Then her mouth opens wide.
“What?” She looks at me, dumbstruck. “What is a leviathan?”
“A leviathan?”
She raises a hand and taps something. Then I see what she sees.
Traits.
Human Average
Individual Base Calculations.
Level modifications
Trait Actual Value
Strength
10
36
+0%
36
Endurance
9
43
+0%
43
Vitality
12
0.27%M/R/M
22
0.54% M/R/M
+0%
22
0.54% M/R/M
Perception
9
27
+0%
27
Intelligence
11
16
+0%
16
Mana
388.8
480
+0%
480
Control
12
8
+0%
8
Attributes Available:
26
Level
17
Titles Obtained:
1
Title Name
Leviathan Slayer
Title Rank
Legendary
Title Effect
+10 Attribute points
“Huh. So Tawih is a leviathan? But I didn't actually kill her. I only made a deal that just so happened to end her life. I guess it counts?”
I fold my arms over my chest. “What exactly is a leviathan?” I ask.
She blinks at my question. “Yazula does not know.”
I should have expected this.
“Alright. Well, it has been less than a week since we talked. Have you learned anything new in the meantime?”
She blushes and turns her head away from me. “Yazula learned that Yazula will talk with her champion every ten and twenty-five levels.”
“Uh-huh. What else?”
“Yazula also learned that leveling is very very slow. Yazula believes that getting to level ten will take at most two weeks. So Yazula figured she had time until the next meeting.”
“You procrastinated…”
Her cheeks turn to a rosy red. Her eyes avoid contact with my own.
I sigh. “Fine. fine. You mentioned we would meet at level ten and level twenty five. Why is that?”
She perks up very quickly. “Every ten levels, you get a skill, and every twenty five levels, you get a stronger class.”
“So, since I’m level 17, seven levels higher than ten, you are here to give me a skill, correct? Have you chosen one out for me, or do I actually get to choose?”
She grins at me. “Both. Yazula chooses three skills from the list, and then you choose which of the three you want.”
“So you’ve chosen the three skills?”
Yazula spreads her arms in front of her and a bowl filled with folded pieces of paper appears.
“Oh no.”
She closes her eyes and reaches randomly into the bowl. Then she retrieves three papers.
“Done,” she says happily.
Before I can answer, four boxes block my vision.
Class skills have been chosen by entity Yazula. Initializing Selection.
Please choose one of the following skills.
Stat Spread Allocation
Soul Expansion
Sustain Reduction
Stat Spread Allocation
All transformations benefit from 50% of level modifications.
Soul Expansion
Increase max soul quantity by 100%
Efficient Transformation
Decrease Transformation sustain by 10%
Reading through the skills, I find myself both confused and impressed with the choices. All of the choices seem useful, but how useful is something I’ve yet to comprehend. The first offer, [Stat Spread Allocation], reveals to me that whatever bonuses get applied by the attribute points is not normally applied to my transformations. In the future, if I obtain strong transformations, they may very well be weaker than my Fenrimorph form.
Which also leads me to the next skill. [Soul Expansion] doubles the number of souls I can transform into. So, I would be going from two to four. But the wording is a percent based increase, which means I will have an option to naturally increase my capacity.
[Efficient Transformation] is useful if I transform into something that costs a great deal of mana to stay transformed in. Unfortunately, that would require me to be willing to transform into something that is stronger than a Fenrimorph. Considering what I transform into does not normally scale with whatever attribute bonuses are applied, then the transformation is mute. Same with Soul Expansion. Turning into more beasts means nothing if said beasts are a downgrade.
The most logical choice is [Stat Spread Allocation]. Well, logical so long as the level modifications are significant.
“Yazula, I’m going to take [Stat Spread Allocation].”
“OK!”
Skill selection [Stat Spread Allocation] accepted. Adding skill to Entity Quasi Eludo.
Skill addition successful.
All Champion responsibilities completed. Removing entity Yazula.
As the message disappears, a portal opens beneath the goddess.
She screams in surprise while her body falls through. The portal closes a moment later.
Then, a not so unfamiliar floating eyeball enters through a portal and gazes at me expectantly.
“Entity Quasi Eludo, you have 26 attributes to spend. Do you wish to spend them?”
I fight the urge to say ‘Yes’. I don't fully know what the attribute points do, nor do I know the full extent of the traits. Spending the points blindly is a recipe for disaster, especially so when considering the fact the other champions will have more information than me.
“No. I will hold onto the attribute points. Just send me back.
“Understood.”